Henson not heading for Dragons

Dragons boss Lyn Jones has poured cold water over suggestions Gavin Henson could be heading to Rodney Parade from Bath.

Dragons boss Lyn Jones has poured cold water over suggestions Gavin Henson could be heading to Rodney Parade from Bath.

32-year-old Henson had been strongly rumoured to link up with former coach Jones come the end of the season, but the Dragons man has confirmed that will not be happening, saying his future will become clear on Wednesday.

"Gavin is not joining the Dragons. Definitely," Jones told WalesOnline.

"Gavin is a quality player. He always has been and always will be.

"I think it's only right that there's team interested in him and I am sure by Wednesday night you will hear where he is going next year. Sadly not here.

"Gav has got a huge amount to offer the game of rugby.

"Ian Gough is playing second row for us next year at 37 and Nathan Hines has played for Clermont at 37.

"Some people hit 31 and the game just disappears from them, but Gavin has had a few years off where he has aged and matured."

Henson has had a somewhat troubled career since being thrust into the limelight as Wales' golden boy during their 2005 Grand Slam. Since leaving the Ospreys in 2009, he has never spent more than one season at a club, playing for Saracens, Toulon, Cardiff Blues and London Welsh.

But he has made 20 appearances for Bath this season, 12 in the Premiership, and starred in the side's Challenge Cup demolition of Brive this weekend.

"We will make a decision on him when it's right," said Bath boss Mike Ford.

"The quality of his performance [against Brive] was good.

"He gives us strength and depth to our squad. He is a different player to Kyle Eastmond at 12, but you need those players so you can play different ways.

"He can kick a ball a million miles, he can be a little bit more direct and he can kick goals for us. Now he is fully fit and he has got a run of games, it's looking well for the business end."